The Devils were playing the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2nd round of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, in game 3 it was already clear that the New Jersey Devils were the Drinks T Shirts hockey team thus they ultimately were going to the next round; the Tampa Bay Lightning were a psychologically beaten team. Early in the first period of Game 3, a frustrated Pavel Kubina flung an eye level dump-in shot from inside the blue line that sailed high and hit the stalwart Devils defender on the side of the face. The shot opened a cut near Stevens’ left ear that required 15 stitches. The Devils captain left the game and didn’t return. Stevens returned the next game, and led the Devils to victory over Tampa Bay & went on to lead the Devils to their 3rd Stanley Cup. Scott Stevens was never the same after getting hit in the head with that shot. He had to retire in early 2004 because of post-concussion syndrome from getting hit in the head with a hockey puck. His Hall of Fame Career was cut short & an end to the New Jersey Devils reign of superiority that began a decade ago. The end of a dynasty because of a guy getting hit in the head with a hockey puck.
